Practical Days

Normally held around April each year, these are informal meetings looking at various topics relevant to those active in industrial archaeology. In the past these events were known as ‘Affiliated Societies Weekends’ and ‘Ironbridge Weekends’.

The AIA Practical Day in 2018 was a whole weekend!

The AIA Council decided to give Ironbridge a rest for the Practical Day in 2018 and instead organised a whole weekend devoted to the study of mining landscapes based in Matlock Bath in Derbyshire, an aspect of industrial archaeology about which we have not done very much lately.

The event was part of the programme of the industrial heritage theme month on mining and metals (April) of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018.

We were very fortunate to secure the services of John Barnatt, just retired from his role as Senior Archaeologist with the Peak District National Park and former winner of Britain’s premier archaeology award, the Silver Trowel Award, for his work on the remains of the lead industry.

The weekend included a visit to the splendid Peak District Mining Museum in Matlock Bath and its adjacent Temple Mine; the surface remains of Magpie Mine, run by the Peak District Mines Historical Society; and an exploration of other mining landscapes in the area, with an underground visit to one of the local caverns which were exploited for minerals including the famous Blue John.

This one-day workshop provided introductory practical training and a broad understanding of the processes used and the buildings utilised in the historic iron industry around Ironbridge

2016 – Speaking up for Industrial Archaeology – the challenges and practicalities of speaking up for industrial archaeology at a local scale

The workshop explored why it is more important now than ever that local groups speak up for industrial archaeology, and what groups and societies can practically do to support and protect industrial archaeology in their local area.

There were practical sessions, and a feedback and discussion session which looked at issues such as the challenges of speaking up for industrial archaeology and what support currently exists for groups who want to help to protect and raise awareness of industrial archaeology in their local area.

Following from the workshop, Rob Lennox from the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has produced a resources sheet of useful advocacy resources/web links for community groups who want to speak up for industrial heritage in their local areas.

A CHOICE OF TOURS OF THE BAY 16.00 – 17.30 by bus, boat or walking and the opportunity to visit the Volvo Ocean Race Village

WOMEN AND THE SEA AND COMMUNITY HERITAGE PROJECTS 17.30 – 19.30
Free public lectures in the Wales Millennium Centre with the Wales Women’s Archive and in The Exchange Hotel with speakers from Denmark, England and Wales.

THURSDAY 31 MAY

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF CARDIFF BAY CONFERENCE

THE EXCHANGE HOTEL 09.00 – 15.30

Hosted by the Cardiff Harbour Authority – a chance to hear about the Council’s new vision for the Bay in the context of the story so far and to hear the views of experts from across Europe respond to this vision.